Longest ban in gaming history
Who
Pinball
Where
United States (New York)
When
1976
Early pinball machines paid out cash prizes for high scores, which led to pinball being classified as gambling in the USA. In 1942, pinball machines were banned in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The mayor of New York City, Fiorello LaGuardia, even went so far as to smash pinball machines during a press conference. Most bans were lifted by the early 1970s, but New York stood firm until 1976, which, at 34 years, makes it the longest ban in gaming history.